Top accountants Grant Thornton have been asked to investigate Devon County Council’s failure to award a contract for the rollout of superfast broadband across the county.

The plug was pulled at the 11th hour by Devon, along with its partner Somerset County Council, because they say they could not reach agreement with British Telecom.

Grant Thornton, who are the external auditors for Devon County Council, have been asked to investigate and review the whole contract procedures and processes by Cllr Alan Connett, Shadow Leader of the County Council and Lib Dem leader on the authority.

“This was to have been a huge investment of around £35 million in extending superfast broadband across the counties. It would have been an enormous boost to businesses and residents – and yet, at the 11th hour the plug was pulled.

“The county council has signed a non -disclosure agreement with BT, so its incredibly difficult to get at the facts and we’ve seen rudeness and obtuse responses from the ruling Conservative administration at county hall.

“I’ve now written to Grant Thornton, who have a very special role as the council’s external auditors, to make sure public money is properly used and to give advice on good practice. They also have to sign-off the council’s annual accounts every year, so it would give us all more confidence for them to look at what has been happening on behalf of the public.

“I’m simply not satisfied that we’re really getting a clear picture of the failure to award this contract and of course it now means more delay and extra public expense in running through a brand new process to ensure broadband is extended across the county. The delay will damage Devon businesses,” added Cllr Connett.